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10 incredible facts about Indian Navy
It’s an honour beyond compare to be fighting for the country and to be a part of the guard that protects one’s countrymen from harm. The Indian Navy has a tradition of bearing that honour with pride and dedication. Indian armed forces are one of the strongest and most valiant forces in the world, and Indian Navy is the gem of the Armed Forces. On the occasion of Navy Day, here are some incredibly interesting and amazing facts about the Indian Navy, which every proud Indian must know.
1. World’s oldest tidal dock!
It seems that Indians have always been adept at sea faring activities. No wonder then that people of the Harappan civilisation, who had settled in Gujarat, built the world’s first naval dockyard, some 7,600 years ago! The dockyard was built in the Harappan city of Lothal, at around 23oo BC. Lothal engineers studied tidal movements and their effects on brick-built structures and constructed kiln-burnt brick walls. Boats of 60-75 tonnes capacity and 20-25 metres in length could enter Lothal dock, which was designed in such a manner as to ensure berthing 20-30 boats of a fairly large size. Large foreign and Indian ships could enter the harbour without any difficulty.
2. Operation Trident- Indian navy’s certificate for total badassery
The Indian Navy fought one of the largest naval conflicts since the Second World War. During the 1971 Indo-Pakistani war, the Indian Navy executed a blockade, carrier aircraft bombing missions and cruise missile strikes against land targets. The entire operation was known as Operation Trident and it resulted in the first use of anti-ship missiles in combat in the region, and only the second worldwide. Using anti-ship cruise missiles to destroy Pakistani oil tank farms was quite innovative for its time. This is why Navy Day is celebrated on the Anniversary of Operation Trident!
The Ezhimala Naval Academy in Kerala is the largest of its kind in Asia. The Naval Academy (NAVAC) was established in May 1969, while its Ezhimala campus was inaugurated on 8 January 2009 and the name changed to Indian Naval Academy. It shares the 2,452 acres (9.92 km2) site with the naval base depot, INS Zamorin, and the naval hospital, INHS Navjivani. Admission to INA as graduate officer-trainees of the Indian Navy is conducted through a written examination conducted by the UPSC, followed by 5-days of testing and interviews conducted by the Services Selection Board (SSB). These cover general aptitude, psychological testing, medical tests, team skills as well as physical and social skills.
4. Sagar Pawan- one of only two naval aerobatic teams in the world!
Sagar Pawan is the aerobatic demonstration team of the Indian Navy. It is one of the only two naval aerobatic teams in the world, the other being the Blue Angels of the US Navy. The team uses 4 HJT-16 Kiran Mk.2 trainer aircrafts, and the colour scheme used by the aircraft is dark blue on white. Sagar Pawan was formed in 2003 at Dabolim Naval Air Station in Goa, Southern India, as the first demonstration was in May 2003. The team flew four HJT-16 Kiran Mk.II planes attached to INAS 551 Squadron, painted in dark blue and white. Planes were used white, red and blue smokes. However, the team hasn’t flown ever since an accident in 2010, killed the pilot and the co-pilot.
5. MARCOS- ‘The few, the fearless’
MARCOS or Marine Commandos are the special force of Indian Navy. They are called ‘the few, the fearless’ as they are one of the most feared Indian forces. They are the most efficient special force. However, becoming a MARCO or a Marine Commando is no cakewalk. Depending on the specialisation, MARCO trainees have to go one of world’s toughest courses. But to be selected to undergo the training is in itself extremely difficult. Almost 80% of the applicants are rejected. But lady luck can be hardly seen smiling at those who do manage to get through, as the selection follows five-week-long ‘hell’s week’, which includes sleep deprivation and intense physical training.
It’s an honour beyond compare to be fighting for the country and to be a part of the guard that protects one’s countrymen from harm. The Indian Navy has a tradition of bearing that honour with pride and dedication. Indian armed forces are one of the strongest and most valiant forces in the world, and Indian Navy is the gem of the Armed Forces. On the occasion of Navy Day, here are some incredibly interesting and amazing facts about the Indian Navy, which every proud Indian must know.
1. World’s oldest tidal dock!
It seems that Indians have always been adept at sea faring activities. No wonder then that people of the Harappan civilisation, who had settled in Gujarat, built the world’s first naval dockyard, some 7,600 years ago! The dockyard was built in the Harappan city of Lothal, at around 23oo BC. Lothal engineers studied tidal movements and their effects on brick-built structures and constructed kiln-burnt brick walls. Boats of 60-75 tonnes capacity and 20-25 metres in length could enter Lothal dock, which was designed in such a manner as to ensure berthing 20-30 boats of a fairly large size. Large foreign and Indian ships could enter the harbour without any difficulty.
2. Operation Trident- Indian navy’s certificate for total badassery
The Indian Navy fought one of the largest naval conflicts since the Second World War. During the 1971 Indo-Pakistani war, the Indian Navy executed a blockade, carrier aircraft bombing missions and cruise missile strikes against land targets. The entire operation was known as Operation Trident and it resulted in the first use of anti-ship missiles in combat in the region, and only the second worldwide. Using anti-ship cruise missiles to destroy Pakistani oil tank farms was quite innovative for its time. This is why Navy Day is celebrated on the Anniversary of Operation Trident!
The Ezhimala Naval Academy in Kerala is the largest of its kind in Asia. The Naval Academy (NAVAC) was established in May 1969, while its Ezhimala campus was inaugurated on 8 January 2009 and the name changed to Indian Naval Academy. It shares the 2,452 acres (9.92 km2) site with the naval base depot, INS Zamorin, and the naval hospital, INHS Navjivani. Admission to INA as graduate officer-trainees of the Indian Navy is conducted through a written examination conducted by the UPSC, followed by 5-days of testing and interviews conducted by the Services Selection Board (SSB). These cover general aptitude, psychological testing, medical tests, team skills as well as physical and social skills.
4. Sagar Pawan- one of only two naval aerobatic teams in the world!
Sagar Pawan is the aerobatic demonstration team of the Indian Navy. It is one of the only two naval aerobatic teams in the world, the other being the Blue Angels of the US Navy. The team uses 4 HJT-16 Kiran Mk.2 trainer aircrafts, and the colour scheme used by the aircraft is dark blue on white. Sagar Pawan was formed in 2003 at Dabolim Naval Air Station in Goa, Southern India, as the first demonstration was in May 2003. The team flew four HJT-16 Kiran Mk.II planes attached to INAS 551 Squadron, painted in dark blue and white. Planes were used white, red and blue smokes. However, the team hasn’t flown ever since an accident in 2010, killed the pilot and the co-pilot.
5. MARCOS- ‘The few, the fearless’
MARCOS or Marine Commandos are the special force of Indian Navy. They are called ‘the few, the fearless’ as they are one of the most feared Indian forces. They are the most efficient special force. However, becoming a MARCO or a Marine Commando is no cakewalk. Depending on the specialisation, MARCO trainees have to go one of world’s toughest courses. But to be selected to undergo the training is in itself extremely difficult. Almost 80% of the applicants are rejected. But lady luck can be hardly seen smiling at those who do manage to get through, as the selection follows five-week-long ‘hell’s week’, which includes sleep deprivation and intense physical training.